Soccer By Ives

USA 2, Haiti 2: A look back

It was a game that didn't have much meaning from a results standpoint (at least not for the Americans), but the U.S. national team's 2-2 tie vs. Haiti on Saturday certainly still had plenty of value for the United States.

Along with giving head coach Bob Bradley a chance to see every player he hadn't seen in the team's first two matches, it also helped provide the U.S. team with a good tough test heading into the Gold Cup quarterfinals.

Stuart Holden stepped up yet again and showed why he has to be considered one of the U.S. pool's most promising attacking prospects. Unfortunately for the USA, Holden's performance was one of only a few true bright spots on Saturday.

No firings imminent as Red Bulls stand pat

When Red Bulls sporting director Erik Stover and technical director Jeff Agoos went to Austria last week to meet with Red Bull management about the struggles of the worst team in MLS, it was thought that the meeting would result in the firing of one or both of them, and the firing of head coach Juan Carlos Osorio.

It appears all three are safe (for now).

Sources have told SBI that none of the three members of the Red Bulls front office will be let go, a decision that comes as the team is in the midst of one of the worst seasons in MLS history.

It was believed that the club might be tempted to make a coaching change during the team's bye week, and ahead of Thursday's high-profile match vs. the Los Angeles Galaxy (and David Beckham), but it now looks as though Osorio will stay on as head coach for the foreseeable future.

Gold Cup quarters set after Mexico and Panama win

 

No Javier Aguirre? No problem.

With their head coach serving a suspension, the Mexican national team used a first-half blast from Gerardo Torrado to cruise to a 2-0 victory over Guadeloupe on Sunday.

Panama joined Mexico in the Gold Cup quarterfinals courtesy of its 4-0 mauling of Nicaragua. Blas Perez and Luis Tejada provided three of the goals for the Panamanians, who will now face the United States in the quarterfinals.

Here are the Gold Cup quarterfinal match-ups:

Gold Cup: Matchday Nine (Your Running Commentary)

The final day of the CONCACAF Gold Cup Group Stage takes place today, with Mexico trying to win Group C by knocking off 2-0 Guadeloupe (7pm, Univision).

The scenarios are very intriguing today for 'El Tri', who could win Group C with a win, but who could wind up playing the United States as a third-place team if they lose and Panama wins its game against Nicaragua (5pm, Galavision).

Jamaica will also be watching attentively as a tie in the Panama-Nicaragua game would send the 'Reggae Boyz' to the quarterfinals against the United States.

If you will be watching today's matches please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action.

Aguirre handed three-match ban

 

                                                   Photo by ISIphotos.com

Mexican national team coach Javier Aguirre will not be on the sidelines for today's Guadeloupe after being suspended for three matches for his run-in with Panama's Ricardo Phillips.

The suspension means Aguirre would return to the Mexico sideline no sooner than the Gold Cup final. If Mexico is eliminated in the Gold Cup quarterfinal then Aguirre would miss the Aug. 12 qualifier vs. The United States.

What do you think of the suspension? Too lenient or fair? Are you hoping to see Aguirre back for the final (potentially the USA)? Share your thoughts below.

Holden blast gives USA draw vs. Haiti

                                                                             Photo by ISIphotos.com

Haiti was one minute away from the biggest upset in its national team's history, and one minute away from taking the Gold Cup Group B lead from heavy favorites the United States.

Then Stuart Holden stepped up.

The Houston Dynamo midfielder blasted a 25-yard shot in second-half stoppage time to give the United States a 2-2 tie and help the Americans clinch first place in Group B on Saturday night.

Haiti was a feisty and dangerous opponent, attacking in waves and erasing a USA halftime lead in just four minutes courtesy of a pair of quality finishes. The Americans pressed and pressed for an equalizer, but struggled to find the net before Holden's second goal in two U.S. national team appearances.

The victory means the United States will now face either Mexico, Panama or Jamaica in the Gold Cup quarterfinals in Philadelphia on Saturday.

What did you think of the U.S. team's performance on Saturday? Convinced that Stuart Holden is ready for more playing time with the national team? Disappointed in the U.S. defense? Hoping the Americans face Mexico in the quarterfinals or is that a match you are hoping is the Gold Cup final?

Share your thoughts below.

WPS Week 16: A Look Ahead

By CHRISTA MANN

When the midweek match-up between the L.A. Sol and St. Louis Athletica opened Week 16 in Women's Pro Soccer, it set the stage for tonight's games between Sky Blue FC (New Jersey) at the Boston Breakers (6:00 PM on FSC) and the Chicago Red Stars against the Bay Area's FC Gold Pride (8:00 PM Comcast).

St. Louis stunned L.A. in the 11th minute on Wednesday when Athletica midfielder Amanda Cinalli put one past Sol keeper Karina LeBlanc to finish the team's second goal this season against the Canadian GK.  Both that finish and an incredible effort from Athletica GK Hope Solo allowed St. Louis to not only pull of the win but to also solidify second place for the time being, to score in consecutive games against the Sol, and to become the only team in the Sol's most recent six games to get anything past LeBlanc.

Here are some highlights:

Beckham addresses Donovan criticism

 

                                                                            Photo by ISIphotos.com

When Landon Donovan's comments bashing LA teammate David Beckham were released in excerpts from the upcoming book, "The Beckham Experiment" you just knew Beckham wouldn't be happy. Well, it didn't take long for him to respond.

Speaking to media during a charity event in California, Beckham addressed Donovan's comments, calling them extremely unprofessional.

"It's unprofessional in my eyes," Beckham said of Donovan's comments. "In every soccer player's eyes throughout the world it would be unprofessional to speak out about a teammate especially in the press and not to your face.

MLS Matchday 16 (Your Running Commentary)

While the U.S. national team is attracting much of the attention from U.S. fans tonight, some MLS fans are passing on watching the national team in order to see their club teams play in key league fixtures.

The afternoon included a Seattle 2-1 win against Houston, as well as a scoreless draw between New England and Kansas City.

Tonight's slate of games promises to provide some intrigue as well. Here are today's remaining matches:

Columbus Crew at Chicago Fire, 8pm (ESPN2)

FC Dallas at Colorado Rapids, 9:30pm (Direct Kick)

Toronto FC at San Jose Earthquakes, 10:30pm (Direct Kick)

Los Angeles Galaxy at Chivas USA, 10:30pm (FSC)

If you will be watching tonight's MLS matches, you are welcome to share your own thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action.

Gold Cup: USA vs. Haiti (Match Night Commentary)

 

The U.S. men's national team is in Foxborough, Mass. tonight to take on Haiti at Gillette Stadium in the final Group B match for both teams. a win or draw clinches first place in the group for the USA, which has already secured a place in the quarterfinals.

The Americans will look to field a different looking squad as midfielders Freddy Adu and Benny Feilhaber have left the team. With the quarters already secured, look for Bob Bradley to give some new faces looks in the starting lineup.

The USA will take on a fast Haiti team that has shown some flashes of attacking skill in posting a 1-1 record in the tournament.

I will be providing commentary throughout the match so please feel free to follow along here. As always, you are welcome to share your own thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

Enjoy the match.